Grand old school sells for $100,000

Midlakes had hoped to get far more for the building on Teft Avenue in Clifton Springs.

Stephanie Bergeron

The former Teft Avenue School, up for sale for two years, may soon be purchased for a quarter of the initial asking price.

The Midlakes Central School District Board of Education accepted a bid of $100,000 from Faith Community Church, on Pearl Street in Phelps.

“The building is in great condition— it’s just finding the right user for the property,” said real-estate agent Marty McMillan of McMillan Realty. “It has taken some time because it’s a big building.”

The property was listed with an asking price of $399,000 on the McMillan Realty Web site in July.

Pastor James Knarr said the church hopes to use the school’s auditorium for their morning worship services. Their sanctuary on Pearl Street is growing too small for the congregation of roughly 200 people. Knarr said the church also plans on opening up extra space for community organizations.

“There are a lot of people who can use the space legitimately but do not have the need or means to handle a building that size,” he said. “It’s our desire to work with the community to find out what space needs they have.”

Built in 1929, the 78,702-square-foot building stands on over six acres at 21 Teft Ave. Last renovated in 1995, the building is partially handicapped-accessible and partially air-conditioned. It was closed in 2004 when the new campus on Route 488 opened. The South Street School, originally an early-childhood facility, was sold to Raer Corp. three years ago, and the old primary school in Phelps was converted into the Phelps Community Center. School District Superintendent Mike Ford said by law the money from the sale of all four buildings goes into a reserve fund to offset future taxes.

“It’s good to see that it’s going to be used for a good purpose,” he said. “I would assume a purpose that would be good for the community and good for neighbors.”

The purchase of the property is pending legal review. But if all goes well, Knarr said, there are endless possibilities for how to use the space.

“The sky’s the limit,” he said. “It’s a broad open spectrum, a blank piece of paper.”

Stephanie Bergeron can be reached at (585)394-0770 , ext. 255 or at sbergeron@mpnewspapers.com